On this day in 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 47th Ward Office will be CLOSED on Monday, January 18th, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Dear Neighbor, For two years, I've been working with Alderman Patrick O'Connor, Ald. Michele Smith, and others in City Council to merge the office of the Legislative Inspector General with the Office of the Inspector General. The goal is to create a single and unified office to investigate complaints against ALL City employees and audit/evaluate city programs and departments. This landmark reform was originally introduced to City Council by Ald. Patrick O'Connor and me during the summer of 2014. The ordinance was co-sponsored by a total of 35 aldermen. After attempts to move the legislation in the last City Council, the ordinance was re-introduced to the new City Council sworn in on May 18, 2015. And after months of advocacy, Ald. Patrick O'Connor successfully passed the ordinance to merge both offices out of committee last week. Prior to a full vote in City Council, the ordinance to merge offices was delayed by parliamentary maneuver called 'Defer and Publish.' This maneuver requires two aldermen and is non-debatable. While the maneuver delays the vote for a month, our goal is to continue our advocacy so that we can call a vote in February and pass this needed ethics reform. To learn more about our efforts, please click on the links below: While this effort has been ongoing for the last two years, please know that I (along with Ald. Michele Smith and Ald. Pat Dowell) spent a large portion of my last term working to pass legislation to create the City Council's Office of Financial Analysis. Change and reform takes time and endurance - and after three years of advocacy by many of my colleagues, Chicago is now the fourth city to create an independent budget office. Now we will put forth the same effort and resolve to pass ethics reform and merge the offices of Chicago's inspectors general.
GROWCommunity, Parks, and Public Infrastructure
In my 2015 year-end newsletter, I outlined plans to use 47 th Ward Tax Increment Finance dollars for our schools, parks, and public infrastructure. This week, I provided more details to DNAInfo. Click here to read the article or see below: - $2 million in TIF funds to complete the McPherson Elementary Outdoor Campus Project
- $3+ million in TIF funds to renovate Chase Park Fieldhouse
- $3-5 million in TIF funds to renovate facilities at Revere Park
- $5 million in TIF funds to renovate/repair facilities at Sulzer Regional Library
- TBD in TIF funds toward creating new park/open space at North Center Town Square
I provided the Department of Planning and Development with letters of support so that we can begin working with the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Public Library and other City departments to advance these infrastructure projects. During my first term, we directed over $25 million in TIF funds into our schools, parks, and Sulzer Regional Library. Now, during this last term, my goal is to complete these needed facility renovations. These projects will take time to complete, and some may extend beyond my final term which is why I want to get these projects moving now. I will keep you posted on our progress.  To see how 47 th Ward TIF dollars have been invested, please click here.
Have a great weekend!
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Holiday Garbage Schedule
Due to the MLK, Jr. City Holiday on Monday, January 18th, Streets and Sanitation will be picking up garbage and recycling Tuesday-Friday next week. To ensure that your carts are emptied, please leave them out all 4 days. If you have any questions, you can contact the 47th Ward Office
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Sidewalk Snow Removal
Everyone needs to use the sidewalks to get where they are going. Please remember to clear a path at least 5 feet wide on all of the sidewalks adjacent to your property, including any crosswalk ramps. Do not shovel the snow into the right-of-way, which includes: transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind. You can get full information on the snow removal requirement on the City's website. To report violations, please contact the 47th Ward Office. |
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Western Avenue Viaduct Removal Project - Starting February 2016
The Chicago Department of Transportation, in partnership with my office and the 33rd and 32nd Wards, held an open house regarding the upcoming Western viaduct removal this past Monday at Lane Tech. The half-century old viaduct over Belmont on Western Avenue has been deteriorating for some time, and is reaching the end of its useful life.
This project will not only remove the viaduct, but will also rehabilitate the Western Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River, reconstruct/resurface the roadway on Western from Jones to Waveland, provide 13'-wide sidewalks, add a third travel lane in each direction during peak hours, provide over 80 new on-street parking spaces, and make pedestrian-minded intersection improvements like the addition of countdown timers and pedestrian refuge islands at unsignalized crossings. To review the design and other project details, please click here.
This project is expected to take 18-24 months to complete, and traffic lanes on Western Avenue will be reduced/shifted during the various phases of the project to allow for this work.
Stage 1, expected to begin in February or March of 2016 will include: removal of the viaduct, deck replacement on the River Bridge, and roadway construction. The work zone during this phase will extend from the south approach of the Chicago River Bridge north to Roscoe. During this time, there will be only one lane in each direction along Western Avenue. This is the most severe restriction in place during the project, and will last approximately 6 months. Once stage 1 is completed, there will be two lanes of traffic in each direction for the remainder of the project (approx. 18 months). To review the stages of construction and traffic control plan, please click here.
This project will have a profound impact to the travel times along Western Avenue. We will keep you updated as information becomes available on start dates and other important notices once the project gets underway. If you have any questions, please contact the 47th Ward Office.
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Chicago Goes Bagless with Recycling
The Chicago Blue Cart Recycling Program is going bagless. Now, the City of Chicago is requiring all recyclables be placed in your blue cart loose without a bag.
We know that everyone wants to do their part to protect the environment, but when you put the wrong items in a blue cart you contaminate not only your cart but a whole stream of otherwise useful materials.
Plastic bags damage equipment at sorting facilities and also keep workers from seeing whether other non-recyclables - like greasy pizza boxes or Styrofoam - have been placed in the cart. Going bagless not only helps our environment, but also reduces unnecessary costs incurred by the City as a result of contaminated blue carts.
So lose the bag, and keep the recycling!
Recycling in your blue cart is easy. Some simple tips for going bagless include:
- Throwing recyclables directly into the blue cart throughout the week;
- Using a garbage can, bin or container to collect recyclables in your house. Then bring the full container out and toss the items directly into your blue cart;
- Using a bag to collect and carry recyclables out to your blue cart. Then toss the items out of the bag and directly into your blue cart. You can even reuse the bag.
The important thing to remember is to toss your recyclables loose into your blue cart. Recyclables contained in bags of any kind will no longer be accepted.
Recycling is an important step we can all take to protect the environment. I encourage residents to incorporate recycling into their daily household routines.
To help take away any confusion on what can and can't be recycled, the Department of Streets & Sanitation has launched a new website - Recycle by City Chicago - that will clear up misconceptions and provide a better visual representation of how to recycle correctly.
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47th Ward A&C*
*Arts & Culture
Special Events
DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Ave.
The German American Cultural Center for Chicago: check out the many diverse events that they sponsor.
http://dankhaus.com/events
Comedy
Corn Productions Cornservatory, 4210 N. Lincoln Ave.
Drink! The Sketch Comedy Drinking Game, thru January 23.
www.cornservatory.org
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, 1422 W. Irving Park Rd.
Free Open Mic every Wednesday at 9:00PM
All art forms from music and acting sketches to comedic stand up will be presented to the public from local artists. See website for improv and comedy sketches on other nights of the week.
www.cictheater.com
Laugh Out Loud - Opening Soon at 3851 N. Lincoln Avenue! Comedy created on the spot from audience suggestions like Whose Line is it Anyway? www.laughoutloudtheater.com
Theater
Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave.
Closed for Renovation-look for a Summer Re-opening
www.davistheater.com
Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St.
Dynamite Divas: A Tribute to Women of Soul, Friday, Saturdays & Sundays 8 PM, Thursdays 7:30 PM, Saturdays 3 PM thru January 24.
A tribute to women of soul.
www.blackensembletheater.org
Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park Rd.
Hogwash: An Improvised Tall Tale, improvised children's show on Saturdays 10:30 AM, adults free, kids $10.
CIS showcase, hosted by Chicago Improv Studio on Thursdays 8 PM, $5.
www.bughousetheater.com
The Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St.
Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play, Fridays & Saturdays 8 PM & 10 PM, $18-$22
A series of outrageous and hilarious comedic sketches, all centered around one thing ... alcohol!
http://pubhousetheatre.com
Music
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago's premier institution dedicated to the preservation and performance of folk and other music.
www.oldtownschool.org/concerts
Access Contemporary Music, 1758 W. Wilson Ave. Showcasing exciting developments in contemporary classical music. www.acmusic.org/attend/concerts
Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.
Small bar & live-music venue showcasing eclectic performers, with a menu of pizza & bar bites.
www.martyrslive.com
High-Hat Club, 1920 W Irving Park Rd.
Serving up nightly live entertainment including comedy, jazz, rock, Creole-Italian style food and fine cocktails.
www.highhat.club/event
Silvie's Lounge, 1902 W. Irving Park Rd.
Enjoy a wide variety of musical genres, local talent as well as touring acts in one of the most acoustically appealing venues in Chicago.
www.silvieslounge.comSee calendar
CHIRP Radio
With studios near Irving and Rockwell, this independent radio station for and by Chicago's true music fans is celebrating its fifth birthday this year and later this summer you'll be able to hear it over the air as well at 107.1FM! CHIRP also hosts an array of music, arts and culture focused events throughout the year.
http://chirpradio.org
Visual Arts
Alibi Fine Art, 4426 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Downstate: Photographs of Southern Illinois Circa 1975, a solo show of gelatin photographs by David Gremp, opening reception January 23 Saturday 5:30 - 8:30 PM, runs thru March 29.
www.alibifineart.com
OpenWall Chicago, 4243 N. Lincoln Ave.
My City, Our City: An Art Mashup, featuring artists from the Chicago Creative Coalition, thru January 29.
www.chicagocreative.org/cam-15
Chicago Mosaic School, 1806 W. Cuyler Ave.
Please visit the website below to learn more about classes and workshops the Chicago Mosaic School offers throughout the summer.
www.chicagomosaicschool.com
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School Tours & Promotions
Brochure for Prospective Amundsen Students and Families
Amundsen High School offers a top-performing International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, 25 varsity sports, more than 40 clubs and a thriving cultural environment where every student feels challenged and valued. Learn more about what our neighborhood high school has to offer in Amundsen's new brochure.
St. Andrew School
St. Benedict School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church & School _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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Dara Reports
Please double check the renewal sticker on your rear license plate. You may not get a notification from the state; but if it's expired you could receive a ticket Keep your thumb green this winter at: Gethsemane Gardens Workshop Offerings Sunday, January 17, 1:30pm Cactus & Succulents & Sunday, January 24, 2:00pm Tillandsia Air Plants If you know a senior or someone living with a disability living in a single family home, please let us know if they need help with snow removal. Save the Date: Friday, February 19, 2016. 2nd Annual For the Love of Pets at Begyle Brewery; a fundraiser for Friendship Pet Food Pantry. I guarantee you'll have a great time.
Good Books Wanted! It feels so satisfying to give books you or your children have already read or outgrown, to others who enjoy reading. Or perhaps the book you give away becomes that special one that propels someone to love reading? We always need good books for our Little Free Library. We're here 9-5 Monday-Friday.
With winter comes SNOW! Please be a Snow Angel for an elderly neighbor or a neighbor living with a disability in a single family home. All that is required is when the snow is over 2", shovel the front walk and stairs. The reward comes from the great feeling you get from helping a neighbor.
Know a student? They can earn community service hours by volunteering. Our first request is for a Snow Angel on the 3400 block of Marshfield. Please call or email dara@chicago47.org We've had several coyote sightings in the neighborhood this fall. If you're interested in our wild neighbors, please take a look at our website. They're so important they have their own page.
Friendship Pet Food Pantry (FP2) FP2's priority wish list includes dry cat food and Friskies canned cat food. Drop off cat (and dog) food at Alderman Pawar's 47th Ward Service Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at the Friendship Center (2733 W. Lawrence Ave.) on Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. In 2016, pet food distribution will shift to the third Saturday of every month, from 9 to 11 a.m. Any one high-school age or older is welcome to volunteer, though a brief training is required. Other volunteer opportunities exist for all ages. Visit FP2's website, www.friendshippetpantry.org to learn more. Thank you! CAPS Meetings! Why should you attend? Learn how to be proactive in preventing crime, have your concerns heard. http://chicago47.org/beat-meetings/
You may attend any CAPS Meeting in your district (south of Lawrence is #19; north of Lawrence is #20).
FREE, yes FREE, Rain Barrels are available to everyone who wants to disconnect their downspouts. Thanks to the 47th Ward partnership with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District & Chicago Historic Bungalow Association. You may request up to 4 rain barrels! The next helpful step you can take is to plant a rain garden for your overflow; instead of having water in your basement, alley or the street.
There is less open land in our neighborhood, with that comes more water with nowhere to go. Our streets are designed to hold water, then to slowly drain - but with these larger rain events there is more water than our combined system can handle. Does your alley flood? Does storm-water runoff from your garage go into the alley; does it seem that there is more water on your property than ever before? Talk to your neighbors. Help one another to disconnect gutters. The more houses on your block that use rain barrels the less flooding you'll have. Please contact Dara@chicago47.org
Want to play or learn how to play Mah Jong? Join other like-minded women for a couple hours of bam, crack, east, dot...1pm; 2nd & 4th Friday of the month at Northcenter Senior Center.
Thanks to all of you who donated blankets/towels for the shelters. A car load was taken to PAWS. Please keep them coming.
If you or a neighbor is a shut-in, a Hot Meal is available every Saturday afternoon from the kind volunteers at Pilgrim Lutheran Church; call Janet Taylor 773-777-4052 or Jackie Mokszycki 773-961-8740
Do you garden on a corner or parkway? Please take a look at the list of upcoming water main projects in the 'infrastructure update' section of the newsletter. You may have to move your plants so they won't be destroyed or disappear.
Please be sure to report any drain that does not clear within 24 hours of rainfall to the 47th Ward Office or 311. Please bring in your old batteries for recycling. Keep them out of the landfill. Don't have a use for your old cell phones? Drop them off at the alderman's office. We collect year round for Cell Phones for Soldiers. There couldn't be an easier way to help our soldiers stay in touch with family & friends.
Forward Chicago, a grass-roots, all volunteer, non-profit brings active, involved, engaged folks together. Whether you enjoy walking in the neighborhood, are looking for a Book Club, into handcrafts, ready to learn or already play bridge, relish going to new restaurants for lunch or dinner or have another idea you'd like to bring to life, join us. www.forwardchicago.org
Ongoing Collections:pet food for Friendship Pet Food Pantry,blankets and towels are always needed for clean bedding at area pet shelters. Used games for Sulzer Library's Game Night, eyeglasses, unwanted CD's can become part of an art project. Artists and teachers need them. Bring these to the alderman's office.
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47th Ward Infrastructure Update
Water Main Replacement Damen & Lincoln from Addison to Irving Park
Contractors working with the Department of Water Management have replaced the water mains from 1890 under Damen & Lincoln from Addison to Irving Park. Contractors have capped their trench with concrete on Lincoln. Full restoration will come when the weather warms in the Spring. For more information on this project, please click here.
Sewer Main Replacement for Wolcott from Lawrence to Winnemac
Contractors woking with the Dept. of Water Management are replacing the sewers from 1905 under Wolcott from Winnemac to Lawrence. Temporary concrete is in place and parking is restored on the 4800 block. Intersection work at Lawrence has wrapped up, the crew has mobilized to do the same at the intersection of Winnemac and Wolcott. Once final utility work is done at Lawrence, concrete will be poured to grade, and traffic control will be removed. This is expected next week. Upon completion of the work in the intersection at Winnemac, crews will return to Wolcott to continue installing the new sewer main under the street between Ainslie and Winnemac. This is currently projected to happen in March 2016. Final asphalt, concrete, and landscaping restoration is expected to be completed in May of 2016. For complete information on this project, please click here.
Water Mains Coming 2015-2016 Season:
Lincoln - Lawrence to Montrose (Winter 2016)
Lincoln - Addison to Belmont (Winter 2016)
Marshfield - Roscoe to School (Winter 2016)
Newport - Ravenswood to Lincoln (Winter 2016)
School - Around intersection with Marshfield (Winter 2016)
For more information, visit the infrastructure section of our website or contact Jim Poole at jim@chicago47.org or 773-549-4462. |
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Community Events
For details on the events listed below, please see the events section of our website.
January 16 Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Spirituality: Aging with An Attitude
Covenant Home of Chicago, 2720 W. Foster Avenue
January 18 Monday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
MLK Peace & Justice Sing Along
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue
January 19 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beats 1911 & 1912
Sulzer Library, 4455 N Lincoln Avenue
January 20 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beats 1921, 1922, and 1931
Police Auditorium, 2452 W. Belmont Ave
January 21 Thursday 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Financial Literacy: Managing and Protecting Your Assets
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, CL-115
January 26 Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beat 2031
Swedish Covenant Hospital, Anderson Pavilion, 2751 W. Winona Avenue
January 26 Tuesday 8:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Chicago Point-in-Time Homeless Count
City-Wide,
January 27 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beat 2032
Amundsen High School, 5110 N. Damen Avenue
January 29 Friday 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Burger Night at American Legion Tattler Post
American Legion Tattler Post #973, 4355 N. Western Avenue
January 30 Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
HUD Approved Home-Buyer Education Workshop (free)
Harry S Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Avenue Room 1959
January 30 Saturday 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Chili Fest--Support Ravenswood FUMC
Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage Avenue
January 30 Saturday 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Trivia Night Live, Pilgrim Lutheran School
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 4300 N Winchester Avenue
January 30 Saturday 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Revere Park Winter Movie Night
Revere Park Fieldhouse, 2509 W. Irving Park Road
February 3 Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
CAPS Meeting: Beat 2033
Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street
February 11 Thursday 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Property Tax Savings for Seniors: Are You Overpaying?
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington - Courtroom 2005 (20th Floor)
February 19 Friday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
For the Love of Pets Fundraiser
Begyle Brewing, 1800 W. Cuyler Avenue
February 25 Thursday 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Fair Housing Updates for Seniors: How to Avoid Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington - Courtroom 2005 (20th Floor)
March 5 Saturday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Become A U.S. Citizen Citizenship Workshop
Sulzer Library, 4455 N Lincoln Avenue
Want to put your community event in our newsletter? Check the guidelines on our website.
CAPS Meetings. If you would like to get to participate in community policing or express concerns about crime happening in your area, please consider attending your beat meetings. A schedule of beat meetings is available on our website. If you have any questions about CAPS or need additional information, please contact Jim Poole at 773-549-4462 or jim@chicago47.org. 19th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward south of Lawrence) 312-744-0064 or CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org. 20th District CAPS Office (All areas of the 47th Ward north of Lawrence) 312-742-8770 or CAPS020District@chicagopolice.org.
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